//------------------------------//
// Origin 
// Story: Savior of Eternity 
// by Secrets and Lies 
//------------------------------//

	In the distant realm of gleaming sentinels rested the secret of the universe. Among the multitude, there was one; from the stretching light that reached ever on, there was the far beacon. A singular star amidst the deep continued to watch over its kin with pride. It was silent, it was still. All who knew of it knew only of its mystery and secrecy. All who knew of it feared it, for its presence in this universe was of something to be feared. In the cold and vast nothingness where time began, it was the first light. It was the beginning.
        Overlooking eternity, it kept its gaze affixed on a lone rock in the murk of blackness. An island in the dark sea, a pebble in the sky. For it too was just as important as the secret, for its place in the universe would shape the destiny of every universe that was and is. It had held to its foundation, a prosperous and self-destructive fate that the universe anxiously watched. For it weaved the threads of the Creator’s will. Interwoven in its fabric was the prophecy of the unbroken—the key to open paradise itself.
        Now was not its time however, it was far from completion; but from a grand view, its intricacy could be made out. On this planet—this lonely orb—bore life that would set the key a turning. The key was not in place, nor was it near its portal, but the actions to sway it towards its goal had been set in motion. On this planet now, in the kingdom held together by its own bleak secrets, and atop the grand spires like holy torches in the coming night, stood two sentient equine. They knew not of what their roles were to be, they played the roles that were fragments of the whole. That is, the ballad of the universe.
        Atop the ivory keep, a small and smart unicorn pony pressed her eye into the lens of a telescope. She was a clever filly who could rival the wits of someone twice her age. She was studious and kind, faithful and headstrong. Her name was Twilight Sparkle, and her destiny was to lead the key to its portal. Twilight stargazed alongside her much taller mentor, who kept her sights skyward. She was of regal attire, adorned in a jeweled necklace and crown tiara lit by magical gems. She possessed a horn and wings—far superior before any of her subjects. Her white coat gleamed in the purple haze of dusk as her multi-colored mane swept in an endless breeze of invisible magic. She was the ruler of these lands and her name was Princess Celestia.
        The sun had fallen shortly ago and the stars had begun to twinkle out from the dimming sky. As Twilight searched the horizon for planets and nebulae, something strange had caught her eye. This something was a dot that she had never seen before, and she had been studying and mapping the night sky for months since this day. She went back towards it and focused in on the elusive star more closely. Like the sparkle of a sapphire gem, it gleamed like no heavenly object she had ever seen. Her heart raced with excitement as she backed away from the far gazing device, locking its coordinates in place.
        “Princess,” she happily called towards her teacher, “I think I’ve discovered a new star! I’ve never seen this one before—it’s incredible!” The tall unicorn pegasus (known simply as an alicorn) stepped forward and bent her head down to peer into the lens. She searched for a moment and smiled as she backed away.
“You must have lost it. I don’t see anything,” she gently informed her pupil. Twilight panicked as she darted towards the telescope to see if she could find it. The mechanism on the spy glass was still pointed in the same degree; the young unicorn had even locked its position in place before her Princess could look into it. She soon noticed that indeed it was gone and unlocked from its viewpoint. She quickly searched around the location, but only saw blackness.
        She trotted backwards and sighed with defeat, “How could it have disappeared? It was right there!” She turned and pleaded with Celestia, “I promise I wasn’t lying, I swear!”
        “Oh I believe you found a special object in our sky,” she comforted the filly, “but it’s not very new. In fact, it’s quite old.”
        Twilight was a bit confused as she asked, “What do you mean?”
        Celestia stepped closer towards the balcony railing, eyes lifted towards the stars beyond. “I believe you may have spotted the first light to have ever existed in our universe.” The foal’s eyes grew with wonder upon her elders words. Celestia clarified, “You have encountered the evasive object, simply named, ‘The Dawn Fire’.”
        Twilight properly deduced, “If it’s not a star, then is it a planet? How is it producing light that no star I’ve seen could give off? And where did it go?”
Celestia took one answer at a time stating, “It is not a star. From what I have read on it–and from what astronomers, astrologers, mathematicians and philosophers have noted on the anomaly–it is its only kind in the universe. It has no properties in which a star, planet, or any celestial object holds. Its light comes from an unknown source, but it has been studied enough to know that its radiance is produced from within, exerting outward. Lastly, it can only be viewed for a short time during the Summer months before it disappears into the blackness of space. The stars in the sky snuff it out with their light, and it becomes invisible again–or so we can conclude.”
        Twilight looked off towards the location where The Dawn Fire was. Stars did form around this one area in the sky, and even the clouds of the Horseshoe Nebula above arched around it. It was a strange occurrence that Twilight Sparkle would ponder on for the rest of her days. As of now, the hour was growing late and it was time for bed.
        The secrets this object kept was a mystery that had held true for ages. None knew of its place in the universe or how it even existed. The wisest of this world knew as much as the ignorant; but something was to be known of this object. It had a history that shaped the fabric of space and time. Its story began in the deep of space when it sang out with life, beginning the great chorus to the heavens’ existence. Its song rang forth the ballad, and from the ballad, time began.




Savior of Eternity





Written By:



Secrets and Lies





Edited By:



jackal4563, Xavven, and Adjier





For my brother: Who challenged and awakened me.





(Origin)






From nothing sprang life. Light leapt from the darkness and it has been traveling over an endless journey since the beginning. The most prominent of creations from this light, the fixated vessel over all of eternity known simply as The Dawn Fire, was the Creator, Aeterus. Aeterus is a mysterious, almighty being, never revealed but always present. He sought to create and mold time and space around him, and so he did. First, he shaped the realm around him, this is known as Eternity. Eternity was fragile and weak, so he created its foundations, the laws of the Infinite Protocol. He then sundered Eternity and created two separate realms within the same space, one larger to fit the other. The greater realm is known as Anunimun, the smaller realm was known as Katkahas. The greater was governed solely by the Infinite Protocol, whereas the lesser was governed by nothing.
        In the newness of all life, still he was alone and he sought to create life himself–for creating life is the greatest of gifts. He constructed a being of his image and this divine being was known as Dierus. He instructed Dierus to form within Katkahas its own creations, and to watch over it from within Anunimun where it must reside to withhold its form. As the last of Aeterus’ instructions were given upon Dierus, he left to watch over Eternity. Aeterus had mended the book of Eternity, and now Dierus was to write its story.
        The one Dierus sought out the first light, The Dawn Fire, and from its flames it weaved together the first universe, placing it within Katkahas. Dierus then formed its own laws and systems to uphold balance within its universe. When law was given, life was birthed and within the universe it thrived. Dierus rested, knowing that it had become a master of its own design, much like its master, Aeterus.
        As time passed, flaws began to arise within its universe. Even though Aeterus was flawless in his design, Dierus could not create a perfect design. In desperation, it sought to uphold its realm, so it created the first of many spirits, the Umerus. The Umeri were allowed to travel through both Anunimun and Katkahas, and were able to interact vocally with Dierus’ designs–whereas Dierus could not. If they were to truly interact within the physical plane of the universe's reality, they would need to give up their spirit forms and abilities; likewise Dierus would need to uphold these laws to interact with its creation as well. The first and only Umerus that was created by the first Dierus was of higher making than the beings within the Dierus’ universe, but also was more prone to be swayed by corruption. When the spirit could not aid in saving the Dierus’ universe, Dierus devised a flawless mechanism that would insure a perfect universe. It would take a great deal of time to create this paradise, and it knew this well and thought long on proceeding to go with its intentions.
        Within Katkahas, Dierus formed the end of the chain and waited for its universe to end. When time collapsed on itself within its universe, its actions were set in motion. Dierus choose a single sentient being from within the old universe and granted the being its power, and that being became a Dierus itself. This was the first law of many declared by the Infinite Protocol: The first Dierus must choose another from within the previous universe to become a new Dierus for the next universe. No one Dieri can interact or control another universe that is not its own.
        Once the new Dierus was chosen, it was instructed to create a universe of his own design; and when it accomplished this, the universe formed a new link in the chain with its own timeline, its own laws and its own creations. From the old universe, the original Dierus brought over the more perfected elements and objects from within that link in the chain to carry over to the new universe. The system was in place, the chain had begun. Whenever a universe would end, the last Dierus would choose a new Dierus from within the last universe and would also carry over the more perfected pieces of the old universe. Over Eternity, each universe would become more perfected than the last, and eventually paradise will be achieved.


__________


        The chain, a timeless relic of the first Dierus, stretched on over countless links. With every new link, they strove ever closer to the perfected universe; though over time, this was not enough. The Dieri–now large in number–wished to shorten the time to paradise and to call their Creator back to them in hopes that he would aid them. Many of the elder Dieri had given up long ago and there patience had worn thin; these many became part of their own universe, relinquishing their powers and accepting the gift of a mortal death within their own creations. The younger, however, sought to create something new–inside of Anunimun–that would gain the attention of Aeterus. Four they chose, four of the wisest and fairest Dieri, to devise and create this ultimate masterpiece.
        The four first carefully took two threads that were the fabrics which held Eternity together. The two threads of light–known as Ethereal Energy–were used in mending together the form of the object. From the flames of The Dawn Fire, they forged a weapon to contend with Aeterus. From the molten purity of creation, they poured untainted life energy into its cast–perfect and flawless. With every strike of their hammers, galaxies were birthed in the sparks that flew, which drifted out into the infinite of Anunimun, never to be occupied; and these areas of nothingness became known as the Void. When their design was completed, they presented the celestial blade before their fellow Dieri. They praised the workmanship of the sword and named it Omensis, the all powerful blade of Eternity.
        Its beauty could not be contended, its strength could not be matched. Each side contrasted the other upon the blade’s face; on one it gleamed of the blackest void and the other was gilded of the most radiant light. From head to hilt, it spanned across a universe’s length; and in a single swing, it would tear apart the fabric of its reality. Omensis was worshipped by the Dieri, who knew that now their Creator had truly fled them and that they were the highest form of life within Eternity. For eons, they situated the sword for all Dieri to see and know of its glory, not knowing that they had sown the seed of their own demise.
        Once in Anunimun, a single Umerus approached Omensis. This Umerus was more cunning and clever than the innumerable others, for he was the first of the Umeri ever created. He was the one who tried to save the first universe, but was thought to had been left behind when that universe was driven to ruin. He had taken many forms since, and had been carefully watching over both Anunimun and Katkahas. He watched in secret the creation of Omensis and knew of something that even the Dieri knew not of. Blinded by its beauty, the Dieri were ignorant to the blade’s one flaw; a single sliver near the base of the sword’s face that was so negligible, none of the higher beings noticed it. This Umerus was corrupt and could see the imperfections of all things, allowing him to see through the beauty of the blade and to its one defect.
        This Umerus approached the blade’s guardian, a single Dierus that was a storyteller and keeper of the Omensis. The Dierus did not see many Umeri that wished to see and know of the blade; he was unsure of its reasons for arrival.
        The Keeper of Omensis asked the lesser being, “Are you lost, spirit?”
        The Umerus replied with false eagerness, “No, I wish to see the great sword Omensis. May I approach?” The Dierus allowed the Umerus to gain closer access to the heavenly weapon.
        “It is true of what they say,” the spirit cleverly lied, “it is indeed a beautiful blade. Crafted only by the greatest Dieri–our flawless masters and leaders. May I perhaps touch the face of the sword so that I may too know the glory of the higher ones?”
        “You may not,” coldly answered the Keeper.
        The Umerus implored, “Oh, but reconsider! I have traveled to and fro from the many universes. I am an old Umerus who has seen the birth of many universes and Dieri. I only seek one desire–a desire that I have searched and yearned for for ages. I only wish to touch the blade–if for only a mere moment. That is all I seek, humble Dierus.”
        With the Umerus’ honeyed fabrications, the Dierus let him do so. The spirit stepped forward and gently placed his hand over the unseen crack. Using his corruptive manipulation, he afflicted the sword with his own powers. The Umerus’ energy flowed through the weapon and poisoned the core of the blade. Within a moment, the weapon fractured. A blinding brilliance overtook Anunimun and from its presence the spirit slipped away unseen. Omensis split from each side and became two lesser powers; and in each power traveled the broken ethereal energy in gleaming beads of light.
        A great gathering formed within Anunimun of both Dieri and Umeri. None knew of what had happened until the Keeper of Omensis revealed that he had been tricked by an Umerus. The Dieri called out to the Umeri and commanded that if the one who was responsible for this destruction did not reveal itself, then they would bound the entirety of the Umeri into the void–an area that one cannot escape from by Infinite Protocol. One arose from the crowd, and he was the spirit that destroyed the Omensis.
        “It is I who accomplished this,” spoke the Umerus, “and I am Tirek.” He turned away from the Lords of Anunimun and toward his kind as he now spoke to them. “My fellow Umeri, see how the Dieri are nothing more then followers without a leader. See how weak and desolate they are without their god. Even through their greatest achievement, a weapon once thought of as a perfect creation, they are nothing more than imperfect–just as we are. Should these sorrowful beings be our masters? Should they be the ones that can only create life? Now is the time, my kin! Now is the time we fight for our equality! Join me and together we will achieve not their paradise of disharmony, but our paradise that thrives in harmony! Through only harmony are we to see paradise; so rise up so that we may claim what is true!”
        Upon his rallying words, the Umeri followed under Tirek to bring justice to their mutual cause. Without delay, the Umeri rose up and forcibly engaged the Dieri. The fires of war had been ignited.


__________


        Before the grand battle, two walked alone on the edges of Anunimun–a teacher and a student. The more wiser, a fair and noble Dierus, had begun explaining to his newly chosen Dierus the order of their powers. The time to create a new universe was at hand and the mature Dierus had already set in motion the destruction of his own making, which was the only way to make way for the new. It was by his doing that he abolished his creation, for he had spent many eons crafting it to a more perfect paradise towards the unknown future as many others had done before him; however, he was disenchanted by his own weary thoughts, and so he gradually explained his concerns to the new Dierus.
        The two strolled on, overlooking the great chain in the distance atop a silver mount of bounded light. The older Dierus spoke to his newer kin, “So I have told you everything that binds us–the Dieri–to the Infinite Protocol. I have given you insight on Aeterus, Anunimun, Katkahas, the Umeri and creating your own universe, yet there is more I wish to tell you. Even we, the greatest of all powers, are still bound by our own time; and though we cannot wither away or be expelled by death as mortals can, we cannot travel up and down the roads of our time in Anunimun, Eternity. We must also fret the Void, for it an inescapable place absent of time, matter and space. But above all, Eternity is our enemy.”
        They stopped for a moment as he placed his arm around the shoulder of the new Dierus, coldly stating, “In these moments, when the previous Dierus of the last universe converses with his newly chosen Dierus for the next universe, these moments are sparse. We have greater time now then we ever will again. And so I ask, what questions remain?”
        The young Dierus looked towards the distant, great chain, peering into the eye of the last link. In it, the translucent egg which held a trillion life forms and stars glimmered and faintly flickered, which was uncommon to the other links. The other universes glowed with a cerulean majesty, held firm in place by time itself. They were now relics in which one could visit, which other Dieri could study in hopes of avoiding past mistakes. The new Dierus had many questions for his elder; ordering them by importance seemed much more difficult then he had previously imagined.
        He began with a simple question, speaking as if weary from a long journey, “Why me?”
        “Why you? Because I looked down upon my creation and choose you specifically from the others.”
        The young Dierus cautiously demanded a better answer, “Out of everyone who was wiser or holier or greater, why me? I had unknowingly doomed my planet, why choose the destroyer?”
        The elder defined his previous statement, “The world, whether you were apart of it or not, was going to end. You did not set all in motion, you were only the one they placed their own blame on. I chose a creation that could make a better universe then one I had created. Unlike me and many others, you are incredibly creative, yet unskilled in any art. You are caring, you are kind. You are everything one could hope for in a Dierus and more. That is why I have chosen you.”
        With his question answered, the new one asked another, “Why Earth?” The older one cracked a smiled and looked towards his successor.
        “That is the only planet that we have kept since the beginning. It has been carried from universe to universe, serving many different realities and courses of time. The planet has no name, but when I created my universe, I named it Earth and created the humans. Some acknowledged me as their god, though I had never made my presence known to them. I was God in many eyes, and though I could have stepped down and made my presence known, relinquishing my almighty form, I held fast to Anunimun. Many of my creations murdered–and were murdered–in my name, you know of this history. But why Earth you ask? It had become tradition for us. It is far from perfect, yet still we held to it with the perfected elements, laws and matter throughout Katkahas.”
        “However,” the old Dierus spoke in a deeper tone of concern, “I have become skeptical of this grand scheme to reach paradise. For I believe we are nowhere closer to it now then we were in the beginning. Something must be done and I believe that the planet we have kept to shall play a grand role in Eternity’s Paradise.”
        “What do you mean?” asked the confused Dierus.
        “As if a key must be set in place and turned to reveal the secret paradise, we must seek out this key. A larger game is being played that even we cannot see. We are pieces on a board, soldiers on a battlefield, unaware and ignorant of what is being set in motion. I was too hindered to perceive this notion, but I believe you can do what I could not.”
        The two froze in silence for a moment, they could feel a disturbance around them in their realm. A grand summoning of all higher beings had been set in place.
        “What is going on,” asked the unknowing Dierus.
        “Anger is building,” answered the other. “A grand schism is soon to merge. A battle which will throw the disillusioned and weak into the Void is soon to take place.”
        A radiant dome of burning light tore the loft of Anunimun asunder. Bodies of Dieri and Umeri took towards every corner of the realm in heated battle. Warfare upheaved the lands of greater Eternity; the new Dierus was terrified of what had happened and was deeply disoriented. Both Dieri and Umeri used their higher powers to seek out and deliver their foes into the Void. Conjuring weapons of light and dark, they engaged each other until they were to fall. As either had been struck and sapped of their life energy, their essences were cast into the Void, no longer a part of Eternity itself.
        The elder looked up above the endless fields of battle and noted aloud, “Omensis has been split. The great blade is no more. Though power remains in the air, the ethereal thread of Eternity can still mend the sword into two.”
“Who would have done such a corrupted thing?” asked the young Dierus.
        The elder recalled, “Only one could weave such trickery, an old spirit we all have seemed to have looked over. His presence is always veiled, but now he has torn away his attire and revealed himself. Tirek, the first Umerus, the one who could not save the first universe but instead corrupted it further. It was he who sought to destroy the blade, not only to show that we are incapable of perfection or striving to be the higher beings, but he so desires to reign over us. Perhaps to reform the blade in his own making, I do not know.”
        All were distracted in combat as the orbs of light that once resided in Omensis silently glided throughout the open air. The elder looked upward and sighed aloud, instructing his successor, “It takes time to create a universe in his own making, but you will now have to devise one quickly to insure that Tirek’s plans fail.” He rose a hand into the air towards the beads of gleaming energy. Pulling the broken powers towards him, the spheres and thread reformed in his grasp. A hilt and blade shown forth as bright as The Dawn Fire itself, burning white with purging intensity. The elder Dierus lowered the weapon and levitated it towards the younger.
        “I could only extract the pure properties of the blade, I could not contort the corrupted essence that Tirek had poisoned. With this blade, our enemy will be matched. With this blade, you shall prevail.” The new Dierus took hold of the weapon, it was scorching to his touch, yet no pain pressed him away from the sword.
The older Dierus instructed him one last time, “You must not allow the enemy to take hold of this weapon. You must protect it at all costs. Now depart! Create your universe as I defend you from Tirek and his corrupted kind.” With those words, the new Dierus went forth towards the end of Katkahas.
        The Umeri were overpowering the greater Dieri; and though the Dieri were more powerful than their creations, the Umeri outnumbered them. The battle was drawing to a close as one by one the Dieri were cast into the void. In the midst of battle, through the chaos and calamity of Anunimun, Tirek took notice of the orbs of light above. Only the corrupted remains of darkness remained throughout the realm; he knew that a wise Dierus had withdrawn the pure beads and one of the two threads of ethereal energy to hide it away from him. Upon realizing this, he departed from the the warfare unseen to seek out who had accomplished this. Away from the battle, he rose his hand and summoned forth the remainder of greater powers above. With the remaining elements of Omensis, he formed a blade equal to the one mended before, a brother to the weapon of light.
        When his eyes lay on the instrument of black void, he spoke words of enchantment over the blade, “With this blade, I shall rule over Eternity. With this blade, all who oppose me shall be afflicted.” With eyes bent towards destruction, he sought after the creator of the other half. He took heed of its maker and approached him.
        The younger Dierus reached Katkahas and overlooked the dying universe of the former Dierus’ creation. Using his new knowledge, he delicately extracted the perfected elements of the old universe (along with the imperfect Earth) and placed them in the new link of Katkahas. Once this was completed, he now began to form the space in which the universe was to occupy, crafting the link into a more finer design. He had an original thought of how he would devise his creation; he wanted to birth the universe from a single point, and from that point would be a song. The eruption of expanding powers would sing forth throughout the universe in all directions–a grand ballad would continually play out until his universe would reach his desired moment. The music would perform without cease, with notes that would foretell the prophecy of the former Dierus, his only friend. A subtle reminder of the key that is to be turned, unlocking the gates to the true paradise. Assembling this ensemble of celestial powers would take time if it were to be perfected to his making, and time is something he feared knowing that the Dieri were failing to hold back the Umeri.
        Tirek greeted the former Dierus saying, “I know of which you have created and now hide, though I cannot see it. Its purity itself, the light which blinds my corrupted vision, veils its location. Tell me–old one–tell me where I can find this blade so that you may be spared of a most painful suffering.”
        “You shall not retrieve the sword, and you shall not overthrow the Dieri.”
        “Are you more so blind than I am? Do you not see what is being accomplished before our eyes? The Umeri have nearly won, only a handful of your kind persist and you persistence shall be your undoing.”
        “So you think you shall bring peace and order? You believe your judgment can achieve paradise any quicker than what we have so sacrificially sought for?” Tirek stepped closer, the dark blade in his hand was gripped tighter in the elder’s presence.
        The demented spirit steadily whispered, “I don’t think you understand...” With a sudden and swift movement, the tainted weapon entered into the body of the Dierus. Tirek continued in the same sharp voice, “Our paradises’ differ. My paradise lacks your kind. By casting you prideful lot into the Void, I shall achieve my paradise.” The spirit placed his hand on the Dierus’ shoulder and eased him away from his twisting blade.
        The successor watched with horror in his eyes, seeing his wise mentor slain in his view. Tirek took notice of the wandering eyes upon him and smiled, seeing the young Dierus in the distance. The new Dierus fought the urge to fight back, to leave his universe in midst of creation to avenge his friend, now an essence residing in the Void; but he knew he could not stray from his previous actions, he must still stay true to his mentor’s instructions. Tirek rapidly approached, but steadied his hand not to destroy the new Dierus just yet.
        The spirit stopped and took note of the realm around him asking the new Dierus, “Can you feel it?” He breathed in relief and noted, “The Dieri are almost no more. Only you remain, the last of your kind. My kin are approaching and they could surely toss you into the Void, but I desire to do this and they know this now.” He went on, giving the Dierus more time to stray on his creation, exerting his powers into his new universe as greatly as he could.
        “It is shame you were a Dierus for so little time, never venturing out far in this incredible realm. It somewhat pities me that you know not of its joys.” The Dierus did not speak or acknowledge the Umerus’ presence and this vexed Tirek greatly.
        He spoke with more vigor, “I will give you a chance to repent and bow before me, I will even let you live so that the Umeri can look upon you and know not to sway from my desires. You will be a relic, you will be a source of knowledge, but that is all you will become and nothing more under my eternal control. My thrall you shall be for all eternity.”
        The last Dierus turned and rebuked, “Never! The true Paradise will be reached and you and your corrupted kin shall be swept away by its wake of purity.”
        Tirek chuckled, “For this to occur, Katkahas must be still intact.” The spirit stepped towards the chain and rose the afflicting weapon above him. He then plummeted it downward, letting the sword sink into the link of the former universe. The Dierus was terrified, feeling Katkahas’ ends being purged one by one. A continual reaction was set in motion from the first universe, and speedily it broke Katkahas link by link.
        In a final act of desperation, the Dierus summoned forth the prevailing weapon and flung it into his universe, relieving it of its former Anunimun powers and setting it into the finite frame of his creation. Tirek quickly withdrew his weapon as the former universe dissipated into ethereal energy. Only the last Dierus’ universe remained as a single link in a once great chain.
        “You fool!” screamed Tirek. “How could you have preformed such folly!”
        “Strike me down if you must Tirek, but you will never obtain Omensis. For if you cast me into the Void, my uncompleted universe will be no more and the blade which you seek shall be no more.” With those final words, Tirek raced towards the Dierus’ universe and flung himself into it, temporarily becoming a part of it. He sought desperately to find the blade in the emptiness so that he may return to Anunimun with Omensis and defeat the last Dierus. His incompetence and ill motives had made Tirek nearsighted and soon he realized he had achieved a terrible mistake.
Dierus spoke forth over his creation from Anunimun, “Now that you have become apart of my creation, you shall abide by my rules.” Tirek could feel his essence beginning to warp under the Dierus’ command–his essence began to tear away from his form. Dierus spoke his orders, “You shall be mended to your creation that is the afflicting blade. You shall be limited and tossed into my domain without true power.” And from his words, Tirek could sense his spirit depleting into the weapon of his making.
        Before his might could be lost to him, he spoke one last time. He used his remaining energy to set a curse upon the new universe.


“Oh where is the hero that fled,


and where is the dawn of new day?


The morning will coat all in red,


and the realm will fade into gray.



And how will the key reach its lock,


if broken and tossed astray?


Alone he remains on his rock,


alone he shall only seek fray.



Your last hope shall stumble and cease,


feet weary, his pathway will fail.


Day’s light will fall at its least,


his fate will be blown in the gale.



Lost in the black of the dead lands,


long damned to the lightless kingdom.


Alone he was buried in sands,


alone only he will succumb.



Your hope is a dim dying flame,


your idol is nothing so more.


So soon shall you know of your shame,


my presence soon knocks at the door.



Oh, where is the hero that died,


and where is the bliss you had sought?


The creator had only lied,


your demise is one you have wrought.



So long as the hero shall be,


the curse shall follow till his day.


The lock will never reach the key,


by my hand your god I will slay."


        Upon his last words, he formed as one with the blade and the two became a new form which resembled a twisted and impure stave. His power was no more then the power of a single, small flame. Dierus knew that he himself must journey into his own universe, for if he did not then the Umeri would overpower him. He knew of the sacrifice of becoming apart of his own universe, giving up his almighty powers–though there was no alternative. The last Dierus transformed his body into energy and entered into his universe to escape the coming enemy. The Umeri knew this and knew that if they tried to destroy the last link of Katkahas, that they would be destroying Omensis and Tirek as well. If they executed this plan, they would be without their own paradise, trapped forever in Anunimun, which would become a second Void.
        In the last moments of Dierus’ nature, feeling that his Anunimun state was soon departing from his essence, he created new Umeri. From his pure Umeri, he created three to rule over the others. The others would take form and watch over the new Earth which they would call home, as well as protecting it from the corrupted Umeri that would slip into their universe eventually. The three beings of light emerged before him and he acknowledged each, giving roles to the separate, yet intertwined Umeri.
        Dierus spoke to the center Umerus of light instructing, “You, you shall be the greater. You shall establish order through power. You shall keep the sacred blade hidden from Tirek’s overseeing vision. You will become a king among your kind and you shall be steadfast and the wisest among this universe.”
        He then spoke to the second greater Umerus, “You shall be a matron to the universe. You will guide the key to the port hole and you shall establish law and guidance throughout your reign. You will be a queen and you shall obey the commands of your King.”
        He spoke now to the last great Umerus, “And lastly, you must retain harmony, you must be a beacon of light, and you must not succumb to Tirek’s desires. You shall be a hero, you shall defend the key and you shall retain peace. You are the Prince, and you shall obey the Queen and King.”
        He finally commanded the remaining, lesser Umeri, “You all shall uphold peace under these three. Peace shall lead us all to paradise. Protect your lands from the Umeri of evil. Become great leaders among your kind, take physical form and lead the creatures of new into a brighter future.”
        Before he unleashed the last of his powers to begin his universe, he rose up and commanded all of creation, “Now the Ballad of the Universe shall begin! Now Earth shall give way to its twin, and its twin shall be named Arteria!” The Dierus’ powers was no more as light sprang from the darkness, overpowering all, setting time, and casting matter and space throughout the nothingness.
        The last universe began as a symphony of time and space preforming their allegro, establishing the laws of its dominion. Never shall they cease until its finale, until the key will reach its portal. Though now the prophecy is in conflict with the curse; now the key must fight to reach its destination. The future is clouded and nothing shall be known until the end times. The lonely hero–whomever he may be–must achieve his own; an unwritten destiny without the aid of higher powers. Shall he submit, shall he fail, none will know until the last note of the Ballad rings forth.


__________


        Over the sweeping landscape, Dierus–now nothing more than a powerless father to his making–looked over his creation and he was pleased. The blue sky and vibrant sun filled Arteria with nourishment and life. Mountains stretched far towards the horizon, green and rolling hills filled with trees and vegetation blanketed the new planet. The serenity of his nature gave him hope. It was his promise towards his mentor.
        He breathed with satisfaction, “I cannot believe that I created this. Once I was nothing more than human, now I am the silent conductor of this beautiful, new world. I cannot assure its purity, though I have set in motion great factors that will retain peace for as long as they can. I can only watch, but I must be vigilant of Tirek’s presence, for he is here beyond my gaze. His corruption eludes my lessened sight, yet this does not worry me at the moment.”
        He turned around and took note of sprawling field before him. In it, strange creations grazed in silence amongst many others. The Father noticed their presence, their abilities well exceeded the others. He knew from their existence that these were the ones who will be the successors of the humans.
        He smiled and laughed, “Such an oddity to take the place of the human race, but so be it. They are quite cute... and capable of so much.” The Father didn’t notice it, but one of the few sentient equine approached his side and nuzzled against his lower body. He directed his attention towards it and placed his hand through its mane.
        “My destiny has ended, but yours has just begun.” With those words, he faded away, hiding himself from the creatures and his Umeri. Dierus was ever watchful from heights unknown, in the realm unseen, and silently he waited.